As someone who thinks that entirely too much money is spent on athletic programs in schools (at least in relation to the amount spent on other, non-athletic programs), I was heartened to see the incredible level of support from parents and other students, and to a lesser degree from the schools themselves. I’m not sure what I expected when we went to the competition, but it wasn’t like anything I had imagined.

Thirty teams competed in what, at times, seemed more like a high school sports event than a demonstration of engineering and academics. The Stubblefield Center at UAFS was filled with a cacophony of drums, horns, electric guitars, cheerleaders (yes, you read that right) and screaming fans. If I had been smart, I would have accepted the ear-plugs offered at the front door. I’ll know better next year.